Another helpful post, hopefully.
With the up and coming O's, it's time to put on your armour, as my mama used to say. Or sharpen your weapons.
Since I'm practically no help at all when it comes to many subjects (I've got my O level cert to prove it), barring Literature, Social Studies, History and English, here's a tip.
*pop*
Even though you ought to have started earlier, it really couldn't hurt to read. Remember, reading helps. Not only does it tell you to propel the force of your hand forward when the sign says "PUSH", it also saves you from much embarrassment.
To be more exact, pick up a newspaper. Never mind the Straits Times if you don't want to swim through it. TODAY will do. (I've done it since I was 10, so you have no excuse) Selectively read the articles, and have the columns (articles that are more opinionated, rather than reported news) and have a serving of PLUS. It's hardly ever boring. Everything from the political observations, quips, random thoughts about pimples overblown into a column article, movie reviews, music/concert/food/fashion reviews and commentaries.
Whether you're going to be doing a narrative or an exposition for your essay, it helps to uhm, borrow without asking, some writing styles. People don't study journalism for nothing, and obviously there's something about them that makes their work very readable, especially over a cup of morning coffee.
Of course the heavier content will go to exposition. It's not that difficult to be convincing. Also, do try to be more flexible. There is no solid mould as far as I can see, just a guideline. Personally, I'd be able to tell if writing is constricted. That's where I'm not proud of my essays.
As for how it will help with narratives, it's got a lot to do with how you make a piece entertaining. Spinning a story with a message.
Plus, the usuals. Vocab, grammar, and a dip in spelling, grammar and word use mistakes.
Yesterday, I asked Professor O'Connor (sounds much more important than Peter) about red tape in the business of Applied Theatre. So yes, lots of "???" went off. If you have to know, you experience red tape when you wanna do something, but you can't due to the political or social situation (usually political).
Here's a related word:
Bureaucracy–noun, plural -cies.
1. government by many bureaus, administrators, and petty officials.
2. the body of officials and administrators, esp. of a government or government department.
3. excessive multiplication of, and concentration of power in, administrative bureaus or administrators.
4. administration characterized by excessive red tape and routine.There we go. This is why even if lots of money pours into aid for Africa, people are still not better off. Say, foodstuffs goes into the warehouses in Africa, and it isn't distributed to the people and aid pretty much rots away or ends up in the homes of those in power. Lots of reasons actually, this is just one of em'.Alright sooooo... point is, reading helps. Beyond the O's, it's better to be equipped with a general understanding of global situations, and nothing better to hear it from the horse's mouth, also known as the news. It's a global market after all. To go into work, and have thought out how you were going to promote, carry out and evaluate, and then to be met with a roadblock that could have been avoided if you were aware of the situation... well it's a waste.
Many thanks to my gracious audience. Even if you don't tag, I know you're there. ;) Totally appreciate the tags. Steph, Jasper, whoever takes their O levels sooner or later, this one's for you too.
